S’fiso Ncwane: Gospel hero never gave up

“When I came to Joburg, I couldn’t even say a few words in English because I only have a grade two. So, one of the things I was praying for was for God to teach me at least to say a few words in English because I was getting invitations from churches where people could not speak Zulu.

“I would ask people to translate what my bosses were saying. I prayed to God and said: ‘God, there are people who know that I cannot read and speak English, but I want you to show them that all things are possible in your name’. I have never had people complain that I speak broken English – but maybe they are scared to say so because I am Inceku ka Nkulunkulu (God’s disciple). I believe God taught me how to speak English.”

He encourages youngsters to complete their studies, hence he has started the S’fiso Ncwane Bursary Foundation. He has sponsored lots of pupils with their school fees, bought “uniforms for over 1 000 children” and has adopted one of the new schools on the South Coast. He also recorded albums and donated the proceeds to an orphanage in Roodepoort.

Ncwane is living testimony that prophets of doom cannot determine one’s destiny. Growing up in a poor family, he was constantly told he would not get anywhere in life.

“People used to say ‘uzoba isibotho wena’ (someone who is useless) or a criminal. You will be nothing in life, you don’t know your father. When I told people in the music industry I want to own a record company and get married they would say ‘not you’,” he says.

But today, he is one of the most esteemed gospel musicians in Mzansi, owns a record label, S’fiso Ncwane Productions, and is married to Ayanda Ncwane. They are blessed with two kids.